A notice to pay rent or quit—also known as an eviction notice or notice to vacate due to late rent—is a written letter demanding a tenant who is late paying rent (1) pay the rent by a certain date or (2) quit (leave or vacate) the premises.
In New York, a notice to pay rent or quit is a formal written demand for a tenant to either pay overdue rent or vacate the rental property. This notice is typically the first step in the eviction process for nonpayment of rent. Under New York law, landlords must provide tenants with a 14-day notice to pay or quit before they can commence an eviction lawsuit. This means the tenant has 14 days to pay the full amount of rent due or leave the property. If the tenant fails to pay the rent within this period and does not vacate the premises, the landlord may then file a petition in housing court to begin the eviction process. It's important to note that due to various tenant protections and potential changes in regulations, especially in light of recent events like the COVID-19 pandemic, there may be additional requirements or temporary rules that affect the eviction process in New York.